Department of Agricultural Sciences

About the department

The Department of Agricultural Sciences was established in 1992 as one of the first two faculties. At its inception, the department was offering a four year Bachelor Science in Agriculture and Natural Resources degree. After a curriculum review the degree was restructured to a 3 year programme with majors in crop production, horticulture, animal production, and irrigation and water management. The Africa University Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) in Agriculture and Natural Resources is a unique blend of theory, practical training and exposure to continental issues. The programme prepares young women and men for careers and contributions in agricultural production, processing, marketing, policy, management, teaching, research, development and service. In response to the growing challenges of environmental degradation and food insecurity, the faculty introduced a B.Sc. Programme in Natural Resources Management. The new degree programme prepares young women and men for careers and contributions in Environmental Management, Wildlife, Forestry and Fisheries Management, In addition, the B.Sc. Agribusiness Management degree program was added in order to train students to operate small businesses in agriculture. The first graduate programs were introduced in 2001. The Faculty started with the Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Crop Production and Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) degrees.

The Department of Agricultural Sciences at Africa University seeks to promote a holistic approach to life and recognize the sacredness of our environment. It intends to achieve this by establishing a dynamic community of learning committed to teaching, research and outreach by addressing the challenges of food production to meet the nutritional requirements of Africa and encouraging income generation to improve the quality of life of current and future generations through improved agricultural practices and the sustainable management of natural resources..

Funding

Research Theme/ Abstrsact

Funding

Research Theme/ Abstrsact

Over the last few years, Zimbabwe has seen an increase in imported fertilizers. Many of these fertilizers are marketed to local farmers using recommendations developed in countries were the soils are totally different from those found in Zimbabwe. The biggest problem is with nitrogen fertilizers. This research sought to determine the yield and economic benefits derived from three imported urea types compared with ammonium nitrate.

Partipants in the Research

Ongoing research

Funding

Research Theme/ Abstrsact

With increase in University population, Africa University runs the risk of seriously polluting the Nyagambu river with sewage effluent. The environmental Agency has warned institution about this. Through use of vetiver grass the university may be able to reduce or completely eliminate the problem. The aim of the research is to develop a decision support system that can be used to determine amount of vertiver to us both in the ponds and effluent discharge site to eliminate the pollution.

Partipants in the Research

Ongoing research

Funding

Research Theme/ Abstrsact

Africa University has been a pioneer in the introduction of Grain Amaranth to the Africa. Research carried out at the University in the last few years has demonstrated the potential benefits of grain amaranth in Zimbabwe. Many NGOs today promote the growing and consumption of the grain. A number logistical challenges along the grain amaranth value chain however still exist. Agronomic, harvesting technology and value addition research need to be carried out to support grain amaranth extension.

Research Topic

Participants in the Research

Funding

Research Topic

Cassava nutrient enrichment through fortification with grain Legumes

Abstract

There are high levels of food and nutrition insecurity among rural households in Sub-Saharan Africa. Poverty and food insecurity is also common among rural communities. Cassava being a drought tolerant crop has great potential of reducing poverty and food insecurity. However, the crop is deficient in protein, a vital nutrient in human nutrition. The project aims to reduce poverty through improved food and nutrition security in rural households through the production and utilisation of fortified cassava products.

Participants in the Research

Funding

Research Topic

Catalogue of Hymenopteran and Dipteran parasitoids of Lepidopteran Pest species in Zimbabwe and in South Carolina

Abstract

A longitudinal study of Hymenopteran and Dipteran parasitoids of Lepidopteran pest species in Zimbabwe and South Carolina has been conducted since the year 2007. Hymenopteran Parasitoids found include Cotesia plutellae, Oomyzus sokolowski, Diadegma sp., Brachymeria sp. and Cotesia sp. Dipteran parasitoids found include Schembria eldana. Studies so far have shown that levels of parasitoid are not high enough to achieve effective control and will need to be augmented to effective levels.

Participants in the Research

MSc Crop Production students

Funding

Abstract

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is an important crop in Zimbabwe contributing 4 % of national gross domestic product. The experiment was carried to investigate the performance of different lines and commercially available potato varieties on disease severity, growth and yield at Africa University. Twenty different potato breeding lines from Seed-Co against control cultivars were investigated. The experiment was laid in a Rectangular Lattice Block Design with two replications. Highest tuber yield (41.6 t/Ha) was produced from line 395195.7. Line 398190.735 produced the least total tuber yield (8.9 t/Ha). Data pertaining days to first flower showed that BP1 had the maximum time (58 days). The minimum time (36 days) was required to first flower in variety Amethyst. Amethyst was first to reach 50 % flowering with minimum days (40.7 days) and BP1 reaches 50% flowering within 65.3 days. Amethyst took the minimum time (15.7 days) for emergence of sprouts and the maximum time (27.7 days) was achieved in variety KY20 and line 396311.1W. MC INTRO, Amethyst and KY20 showed very high susceptibility to late blight. Line 398190.735 showed the best tolerance to late blight. Line 397006.18 was the tallest (83cm). The minimum height (51cm) was shown in line (396311.1W). Line 395195.7 showed most vigorous plants while BP1 and line 396311.W produced the least vigorous plants. All the control varieties (Amethyst, BP1, KY20 and Mondial) yielded above commercially accepted production yield (15t/Ha). Considering these parameters line 395195.7, 397066.18, 390478.9, 398192.41 appeared to be the highest yielding varieties and are recommended for further trials and introduction.

Participants in the Research

Undergraduate research project by Ishmael Gabaza

Funding

Abstract

The lack of information on the agronomic practices of collard greens have led to low adoption of the crop by both small and large scale farmers. This has made it unavailable on the leafy vegetable market of Zimbabwe. An experiment was carried out at Africa University farm to determine the yield response of collard greens Brassica oleracea var acephala to different nitrogen rates. A complete randomized block design was used with 3 blocks and 5 treatments which were: 0; 86kgN/ha; 173 kgN/ha; 259 kgN/ha and 345kgN/ha. The AN application was applied in 3 split applications. Data was collected over a period of 7 weeks. Three parameters were measured to include plant height, leaf length and yield. The data was subjected to ANOVA. Results showed that the nitrogen application rate that gives the optimum yield is 259kgN/ha. The yield increased at a decreasing rate until it reached the optimum before declining. Plant height showed significant increases with increasing nitrogen application rates. Leaf length responded significantly positively to increased nitrogen up to 172.5kgN/ha, then started to decline.

Mhungu, S. and Z. A. Chiteka 2010. The Effect of Timing of Earthing up on the
Performance of Bambara Groundnut in the Mutasa District of Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe. Proceedings of the Fourth Biennial Workshop of the Regional Universities Forum. 22 – 28 September 2010. Entebbe, Uganda.

Chikoshana A. T., Tichagwa, J. S. and Chiteka Z. A. 2012. Influence of number of days from planting to harvest on growth and development and stage of maturity on the nutritional value of three vegetable soyabean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) cultivars in Zimbabwe. Proceedings of the RUFORUM Biennial Conference 24 – 29 September 2012, Entebbe, Uganda

Achievements

1987-1991: Trainee Medical Laboratory Scientist at The University of Zimbabwe medical Microbiology (Virology) while attached to Veterinary Research Laboratories and setting up the virology laboratory at the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zimbabwe.
As a medical scientist I achieved the following:

I excelled in different in-vivo and in-vitro techniques of isolating and concentrating viral material for diagnostic purposes as follows:

growing and maintenance of different human cell lines and Primary animal cells for virus isolations and diagnostics

Animal techniques e.g.: growing viruses in day old mice for virus isolations, concentrations and diagnostic.

Preparation of viral antigens using the propagated viruses for diagnosis and immunoglobulin production :
1. Harvesting viral material produced through the above techniques and clarifying them using high speed centrifuges
2. Lyophilisation (freeze drying) of antigens or harvested viruses
3. Aliquot freezing of viruses at -800C
4. Freezing in Liquid Nitrogen (cryopreservation)

I was in the forefront of designing technology and carrying out activities needed to develop tests needed to screen Zimbabwean Rhinocerous of different viral diseases. This was needed by the Zimbabwean government in order to be able to sell clean Rhinocerous to New Zealand. The activities involved raising Rabbit anti-Rhino immunoglobulin’s, conjugating the immunoglobulin’s using horseradish peroxidase and florescein which I then used to develop an ELISA and immunoflorescent test successfully.

Setting up of the virology laboratory at the University of Zimbabwe Veterinary Faculty was an achievement. During that period, I isolated a bovine virus IPV for the first time in Zimbabwe.
In 1990, I was attached to The Central Veterinary Institute of virology laboratory which included attachments in the High security laboratory in Lelystad, The Netherlands. I was introduced to a number of immunoblot tests, Eliza techniques, Electron microscopy and containment of highly infectious viruses.
In 1991, I was attached to the WHO Collaboration Center for Rickettsia Reference and Research laboratory in Marseille France under Prof. Didier Raoul’s Laboratory where I learnt techniques in DNA technology including Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR.

Achievements in current job:

Sourced tropical mushroom cultures from Philippines and developing mushroom production techniques suitable for this environment.

Successfully set up a mushroom spawn facility and developed spawn for both tropical and temperate mushrooms.

Carried out a detailed mushroom survey in two Zimbabwean districts which was funded by the Dutch Government

Because of the success in Mushroom technologies, I was hired by UNDP as a consultant in training mushroom production in different African countries including: Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Benin, and The Gambia. Furthermore, UNDP sent academics from other African countries including Nigeria, Swaziland, Zambia, Namibia and Botswana to be trained in mushroom technology in my laboratory at Africa University.

Together with Prof. F. Tagwira(husband), we initiated Grain Amaranth Research and production in Zimbabwe. I have since developed technologies for its harvesting in Zimbabwe.

Together with my husband we initiated the planting of Moringa oleifera in Zimbabwe and distributed seeds in the country through individuals, Non-Governmental l Organisations and students.

I was invited to participate at the WORLD EXPO 2000 in Hanover Germany where I showcased my expertise in mushroom technology. I managed to grow mushrooms there at the expo without a loboratory and using scrap cardboard apart from showcasing the work I had done in successfully introducing Oyster mushrooms to Sub Saharan Africa.

Research Reports:

Tagwira M. 1999, Mushroom production from easily available substrates in Africa. The world congress for Zero Emmision Research Initiatives (ZERI) Bogota Colombia.

Tagwira M. (2005) Evaluation of Rusitu Mission Hospital and its impact on its catchment area. A study submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements of Master in Public Health Degree at Africa University.

Tagwira M (2005). Evaluation of Rapid Disease Notification System (RDNS) for Manicaland. A study submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements of Master in Public Health Degree at Africa University.

Tagwira M. (2006). The state of Medical Laboratories in Mutasa District and their role in the control of Malaria, TB and HIV. A study submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements of Master in Public Health Degree at Africa University.

Tagwira, M., Muswaka A. and Muphuru, A. (1996) Survey Report on Indigenous Mushrooms in Buhera District and Gutu District of Zimbabwe. A Zimbabwe Biotechnology document.

Symposium

Abstract accepted for 11th Zimbabwe International Research Symposium scheduled for 16 and 17 February 2017
Effects of Rumen Inoculum Source on In-vitro digestibility of Forage Legumes (Lablab purpureus and Vigna unguiculata) grown in the Eastern Cape Province; South Africa.”

Taruvinga, A., Chiteka, Z.A., Manyangarirwa, W. and Souta, C. 2016. Impact of mechanical and chemical weed control on yield of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) var. Nyanda at Rattray Arnold Research Station in Zimbabwe. International Journal of Innovative Research and Development, 5(1): 34-43.

Manyangarirwa, W., and C.M. Mguni 2002. The role of the Danish International Development Assistance in Improving Plant Quarantine infrastructure and Service provision in Zimbabwe. Phytosanitary News Bulletin, 31: 10-11.